City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay.

Mayor, I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Elmwood Park Mayor and Council for August 20th, 2026 to order at 7 o'clock p.m. On roll call, we have council members Fasolo.

Here.

Oswald.

Here.

Sampson.

Present.

Sheridan. Here. Troisi. Here. Council President Pellegrin.

Here.

Mayor Colletti. Here. We have a quorum.

Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our council public meeting. I give you all credit for coming out this evening in that rainstorm. Where did that come from? Just out of nowhere, and it was a downpour that was tremendous. But like I always say, and I'm not a weatherman, some people out there must say, what's he think, he's a weatherman? Water is good, and it creates life. And out west, they wish they'd been getting rains like this. That Mead Dam is the lowest it's been in existence. They're going to have problems out there. Las Vegas and all that area. But that's enough for the weather report. If you'd all be so kind and rise for our prayer and flag salute. Oh God, our Father, we ask you to bless our meeting, which we entrust to your fatherly care and protection. Please remove all selfishness and prejudice from our hearts and implant therein a keen sense of justice and a greater love for you and our neighbors. Guide us in our deliberations so that our decisions will always please you and bring your peace and happiness to our community. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Whereas chapter 231 of the public laws of the state of New Jersey require at the commencement of every meeting a statement of compliance be read by the presiding officer. Now therefore be advised that the meeting requirements for this meeting have been met by publishing a special notice in the record in Herald News and by posting such notice in the office of the borough clerk as well as in a public place within this building. and also by notifying interested citizens. Said notice was posted and transmitted on January 2nd, 2026, and published on January 8th, 2026. Terry?

Yes, Mayor. I move that we go into executive session to discuss a personal attorney-client matter.

Okay, Council. We'll second that motion. Second motion.

Okay. All in favor?

Aye. Aye.

Whereas the Open Public Meeting Act, PO 1975, Chapter 231, permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances, and whereas this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist, and whereas the governing body wishes to discuss attorney-client privilege information and personnel, minutes will be kept, and once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes can be made public. Now, therefore, it be resolved that the public be excluded from this meeting. Can I have a motion to open back to the public? So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Okay. At this time, I would like to reestablish a quorum for the regular meeting of the Elmwood Park Mayor and Council for August 20th, 2026. On roll call, we have Council Members Fasolo.

Here.

Oswald.

Here.

Sampson. Present. Sheridan. Here. Troisi. Here. Council President Pellegrin.

Here.

Mayor Colletti. Here. We have reestablished a quorum. At this time, we have the recognition of the 2026 summer interns. I will turn the meeting over to Councilman Fasola.

Thank you, Sinead. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Tonight, I'm very proud to that we have the opportunity to recognize three outstanding young people who successfully completed our borough's summer youth internship program. When we put this program together a few years ago, the goal was to give young residents more than just something to do during the summer. We wanted to give them a meaningful opportunity to step inside their local government, work alongside our employees, and see firsthand how the borough serves its residents every day. Nala Lampkin, who interned in the clerk's office, Anthony Rios Sanchez, who interned in the building department, and Sophia Brugio, who interned in the finance and tax office, each had the opportunity to experience a different part of municipal government. Over the course of the program, they gained real-world experience, learned the importance of professionalism and responsibility, and saw that even the work that happens behind the scenes plays an important role in keeping a community running. But just as importantly, they showed up. They learned, they asked questions, and they represented the young people of Elmwood Park extremely well. One of the things I believe strongly in is giving our young people opportunities right here in our own community. When we invest our time and energy in them, we're investing in the future of Elmwood Park. Nala, Anthony, and Sophia, I hope you leave this program with new skills, great memories, and a better understanding of local government. And I hope this is just the beginning of the many great things you'll accomplish. Congratulations to all three of you. We're very proud of you. And thank you for being part of our summer youth internship program. And thank you for sticking around because it During the summer, it's very hard to complete the whole program with different people going on vacation and stuff. So let's give them a round of applause for actually completing it and going through with it. So I'm going to come down there now with the mayor. We're going to give them a little surprise. And we're also going to give them their certificates of completion. So when I call your name, you can just come up. And I'll name the certificate. And then stay up here so we can take a picture of it. Malik, Matthew.

We have Anthony Rio Sanchez.

Congratulations. Tell us a little about your experience.

Speak out now. Speak out. Honestly, I really loved it.

I got to learn from a lot of new people, and I had more of an idea. Originally, I wanted to join this program just because I wanted to learn more about the borough and everything that we do. And the opportunity that I got was really appreciated by me because that's where I was going to things. And I personally worked in the building department. I got to translate to people who, let's say, didn't speak English. And honestly, it was a really good experience overall. So I think it brought up a good opportunity.

And yeah.

So no matter what you choose to do in life, you've always got to fall back. You could be a politician if you want.

Very nicely done. And so cheers, Rochelle.

You want to tell us a little about your experience?

I worked in the finance department, and it was a great experience. I kind of went into this, and it was just something to keep me busy for a month. But I walked out of there, you know, meeting so many great people from the town and learning so many things.

It was a great time, because it was just on the quarter of the pass rate, you know.

So I was just camping, and it was a great experience. So thank you, everyone. Thank you very much. All right. Nice job. What's going on, sir?

Okay, next on the agenda, we have the community service recognition. I'm going to turn the meeting over to our veterans liaison, Frank Doc. Shoot.

So good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. So this was a very special thing that came up kind of unexpectedly. In the Milrad area of Pelham Park, what happened is we had some young kids take it upon themselves just to try to brighten up some of the residents there. They drew just these adorable and inspiring letters and pictures. And they put them in mailboxes. They handed them out. Councilman Oswald actually came across and saw them as well. And when I noticed what was going on, I said, hey, this is something that needs to be encouraged. This is something very positive. So I came to the mayor and I spoke to the chief and we decided that We're going to do something just to congratulate these young folks. I see you. If you keep asking me not to give this to you, tell me the purpose of it. So what I'm going to do now is I'm just going to pull off some of those names. And I just want to come up as well. We have two sets of certificates. We want to send certificates from the town and one from my own nonprofit, the New Jersey Veterans Network. We just want to take a moment to honor these young people and make sure that this is something that's positive that's moving forward. Somebody give me a hand as I have two sets. Thank you, Council Member. Let's do it. So we have . Thank you so much for bringing our day. Congratulations. Savannah Upshaw.

But her mom's here on her behalf.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you. Bailey O'Shaughnessy.

Yay!

Tiffany Mendez.

And Bianca . Good job, Bianca. There you go. Thank you so much.

Congratulations. So also, since we're a town that likes to encourage things like that, myself and Councilman Oswald, we went out and we spoke to some of the local stores and businesses, and we were able to get a couple of gifts with these nice folks. What do you guys say about that? Whoa! So Zito's Pizza, my favorite, was able to do two free pizzas for this great group of kids. So now that I have pizza party. Pizza party. And Deanna and Nellie get grand finales and a nice snack for them earlier today. Thank you very much. Of course, that's the right thing for everybody. Yeah, I just actually want to say one thing.

Before I met any of these folks, I was just walking my dog and my daughter down the street, just being in public, and I find these two children chasing me with papers in their hands. I go, no, are you dogs? But no, it turns out they saw me walking my dog. They handed me a handwritten letter of legalism marker or crayon that just said, I hope you have a great day. And that's all they wanted. They weren't asking for anything. The altruism of these children is astronomical. And I'm so proud of them, and I'm so proud of all the youth at Elmwood Park, because this is the model that we have set. The mayor knows this better than anybody else. Elmwood Park does it right. If you saw Junior Police Academy yesterday, you would know. Elmwood Park's kids, they're on the right side.

Karen from . She's actually here with some feedback .

And I hear you guys are excited about getting back to school. So let's get some of those backpacks handed out. Let's give Karen a hand here.

Thank you. If you guys have a pizza bar, you guys have to save us some sweats. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Take a knee. Let me go pass my camera out there.

Wait, hold on, hold on. One second, one second, one second. Oh, I'm not doing this.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Have a great night.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

So ladies and gentlemen, I do have . So now I've been working with Home Park for about a year . So I've had an opportunity to work with . And I've seen a lot of people go above and beyond. I could hear you and I'm half-dead. So I did get an opportunity to work with a lot of great people So seeing as I have the floor for a couple of minutes and you're not dragging me off yet, I just wanted to take a moment to honor some of those folks that I've been working with, and they're just not aware of that yet. So the first person I want to make sure that I honor is Joseph Oswald, Counseling. Can you come up here for a moment? I know, you didn't know, huh? So Joe has worked with us quite often in the veteran community. He's come out, he's literally got his hands dirty. He was just renovating the American Legion, he gloved up, got into some muck and some dirt after we were creating a new Elmwood Park Veterans Service Resource Office. He actually came over at 4-3 cleaning the entire American Legion outside of the building just so he could come and help out our veteran community. Stuff like this is just extra stuff that a lot of people don't often know happens. And I just wanted to make sure that he got recognized for that. So on behalf of the New Jersey Board of Governors, I'm presenting you with a certificate of commendation We've presented to Joe in recognition of the support of veterans in the Humboldt Park community. Joe has provided hands-on assistance and provided direct support to veterans in community programs. Joe provided valuable assistance in setting up the Humboldt Park Veterans Resource Office and also supported veterans' events. Joe leads veterans face-to-face during these events and holds office timers and encouragement to our veteran community. Thank you for your ongoing support to our veterans. Ms. Pan, would you mind coming up here? Now, Ms. Pan often comes to our veteran events and also gets her hands dirty. Just last Sunday, she surprised us. She sat there just meeting veterans, supporting veterans, saying kind words to veterans, serving pizza to veterans. But we had a rough march recently in the heat. Pam was there on the back of our non-profit truck handing out water to veterans in that intense heat. You know why she does it? Because she's brave and she loves veterans. So I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for that. We all appreciate it so much. So I just want to make sure that I presented you with this certificate of commendation. Presented a panel in recognition of the support to veterans in the Elmwood Park community. The panel has provided hands-on assistance and direct support to veteran community programs. The panel often supports veteran events along with useful setup and serving veterans with kindness and patience. to veterans face to face during these events and always offers kind words of encouragement to our veteran community. Thank you for your ongoing support to our veterans. Let me say, when I went through a tough time earlier this year, Pam was there with me every step of the way to make sure I was okay. So if anybody in this town ever says that she's not there to support veterans, we gotta get past them when we can. I'm so proud of you Pam. Ms. Lorraine? I know you don't like to be surprised, Ms. Lorraine. Yeah, I'm sneaky, huh? Now, Ms. Lorraine, every step of the way. I also have veterans who are having a difficult time. Surprises can come up, emergencies can come up, and one of those emergencies should never be a veteran family with no food. That doesn't happen, because if I have an emergency come up, I call Lorraine, and she supports and assists me every single time, over and over and over. A lot of people never hear them. So, Lorraine, I can't tell you how great it is that I know that I have that resource so close by that no veteran should go hungry, especially their families and children. Am I right, guys? So this reads, Certificate of Accommodation honoring Lorraine Pellegrini, presented to Lorraine in recognition of her support to veterans in the Elmer Park community. Lorraine's assistance has provided direct support and relief to veterans facing homelessness and food insecurity. She often takes the time to come support veteran events. She's a veteran's face to face and offers time work and encouragement to our veteran community.

Thank you for your ongoing support to our veterans.

Let's give a round of applause. Chief? Yeah, you weren't expecting that. I work with a lot of law enforcement. I have a statewide program. And I work with a lot of different municipalities and leaders. And Chief Hewitt, I'm still impressed by you. I met the chief a year and a half ago when there was a homeless veteran driving around here in town who had nowhere to go, sleeping in the parking lot, sleeping in a truck. Situations like that have no flavor. Sometimes veterans have different things going on. In his case, he had a dog in his car and no hotel loans, which means he couldn't be accepted to any programs that were available at the time. I remember, and you probably don't, but I remember him saying, if we can't find something, we'll figure something out. And that's what a leader says. Because you can always say, oh, hey, I didn't have the time, I don't know what to do, and pass the buck. That's not what CHIEF did. He moved forward, and then we worked together several times after that. We did a program where we had veterans come, done how to box. CHIEF has a mean breakup. And we've continued to work together ever since. Every time I come to the CHIEF and I ask them for help when it comes down to a veteran, he never says no. Senator Woods, you too, man. You're pretty awesome.

I say it didn't come up because Chris was my right-hand man, but I wish I could have the whole department up here because we're a team and we do this together and that's the team too. So it's not just me and thank you, but this council, the department, all the employees, we work together. So thank you.

I didn't ask the tenant what's to come up because I'm intimidated by it. This reads as... presented a light bulb in recognition of his support to veterans in the Elmwood Park community. He also provided hands-on assistance and direct support to veteran community programs. Michael often supports veteran events and provides resource assistance to veterans in the veteran community. He also showed support for veteran programs in the past. and sometimes I feel like it's akin to, we're pleased to, because we all go out and we risk our lives in a very physical way, to give a challenge point. So I'd like for you to have this challenge point as well. And thank you Chief Lawyer, I appreciate that. So I'm out of commendations, but I do have just You didn't think I wasn't going to recognize you. Please come down here.

Congratulations.

Now, you have a lot of great people that I work with here. But Terry stands out. See, Terry is the DFW auxiliary president. And Terry is always there helping out with whatever we need. If we need to set up for an event, She's there for hours before the study night. But we need help saying hello to the veterans and greeting them, because they might be a little bit nervous as they're coming home. That's Terri. And I don't just mean once or twice. I mean every time. She gives of herself so much for free time, just going to event after event after event helping veterans. And just like Pam was on the back of that truck on that hot day, Terri was too. And she fell off of there, and she's sweating, and she hugged me, and I was like, it's too sweaty. But you know what? She was happy, because she got to go there to make a difference and see our veterans. She truly, truly loves our veterans, and it shows. So I took a step forward, and Terry, you're receiving And the actual hero award, which is kind of like our highest award that we have for the New Jersey Veterans Network. If you act like a hero to a lot of veterans, I'm proud of you. It reads, . In recognition of Terry's ongoing service to the veteran community on a weekly basis, time and time again, Terry had gone both beyond to help veterans facing homelessness, depression, and other concerns, giving them the time and energy to help us. Terry's ongoing dedication and inspiration is a true testament to New Jersey heritage. We're also going to give Terry this. A hero bracelet. You better make sure you wear this because it's a military tradition. A cardboard hero bracelet. Let's give Terry a hand. Thank you. Now, Mayor, I did want to cover the entire Leadership Council, but nobody says Leadership Council to me more than you, because you're the true leader here. We have other folks here that I've worked with often, like Lieutenant Woods. Councilman Fasalo has sent me a couple of referrals a couple of times. Eric, we've had a couple of good conversations over at the VFW when you've come over to support. I can honestly say the entire team you have here is welcome to veterans. comes out and helps out and I appreciate you all. So Mayor, I do have one more here roll over and this is going to the borough of Delta Park. I can say I'm damn proud of living here and the work that it's done here. I was speaking to another VSW commander earlier and he told me about all the troubles that he has as far as doing veteran events there. I don't have those problems here because I have you and your excellent team here doing what you do. So the hero award reads, honoring the Borough of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, in recognition of Elmwood Park's ongoing service to the veteran community, the Borough of Elmwood Park and its leadership have an ongoing record of consistently supporting the veteran community and helping veterans in need. The actions of Elmwood Park and its leadership is a true testament to New Jersey heroism. May I invite you to accept that please. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Doc. You're part of the team here. You're part of this here. So you could take a swipe of it before you leave. Yes, sir. But this is, he summed it up to work as a team. And I'm not too good at receiving these things. I'm usually giving them out. And I'm probably a little more fluent. But this does not happen for me unless all these components put together and hand-selected. These people up here are hand-selected. They're workers, not talkers. They're not workers, they're workers. And that's the most important thing, and that's why we have a successful community, starting with our police department, where it's more community involved, and our council, all on the same page. Very, very little Harsh discussion goes on between the council people and the mayor, except maybe near November. But that's to be expected. That's just the way it's designed. But here we go, guys. This is for all of us. All right?

Got a piece of paper?

Sure, sure. Do whatever you want to do.

Would that be OK with all of you, all of us? Thank you. Thank you.

Do you want us to bring more things in there?

Scott, do you want us holding our awards? That would be great.

One, two, three. Hold on. Say it again. Ready, one, two, three. Go ahead. Thank you. That was a lot of talk.

all right uh we're back in council comments we'll start off with our councilman on the left there mr oswald thank you mr mayor i appreciate the opportunity um i'm just going to keep it brief and just say how grateful i am to be sitting up here as a councilman, as an elected leader in this town. As Doc had said, and as the mayor often points out, that we are a team, despite anything that you might hear. Otherwise, everyone up here wants what's best for the town and wants what's best for everybody sitting in the audience and at home, anybody watching back there. And that we always encourage things like altruism, like being selfless and going around and doing something out of the goodness of your heart or just for the benefit like cleaning up the neighborhood with the eco warriors or handing out notes to people just to make them feel better there's a lot of animosity in the world there's a lot of things that make people sad a lot of things that make people mad or feel like you know maybe this isn't the world that they knew when they were growing up but when i see things like that when i see the the kinds of acts that people do regardless of their political affiliations or their religion or who they were or are or who they're going to be. Everybody seems to understand that this ship called Earth that we're all riding on together, well, they only got one chance at it, and we all lived this one life, and I think we're doing such a good job. And I'm just really appreciative of those kids, of everybody, the police force, of the mayor and council. So thank you all for being a part of it.

Thank you, Mayor. This evening is just another example of how strong this borough is. How strong this borough is at every level and every age group. So we saw adolescents that cheer up a neighborhood. We saw some, I guess, teenagers that spent some time here as interns. Hopefully, they'll pursue a career in public service or helping the public and doing good. We also saw, of course, Our veterans, our veterans are first and foremost because we can't sit here, we can't enjoy life, we can't celebrate the way we celebrate or live our life that we do in America. And all of this proves that we are the leaders of the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And thank you to all involved. Doc, thank you for all you do for veterans. And Mayor, I kept it short a little bit. Long night.

Thank you Mary. I just want to reiterate what I said about the interns first and foremost. They gained a lot of good experience here. A lot of them came in not knowing what to do in their future and what they want to pursue once they get into college and it kind of solidified certain decisions for them. They were placed Just to give you a little background, they were placed in places where they kind of wanted to pursue in college. I felt it important to place them in those specific areas just so they could get a feel for how it would be to work in that specific area in the future. So I want to congratulate them for completing the program, never really taking a day off throughout the process and gaining that experience. I also want to thank Doc for everything he does for the veterans in this town and also for our community. People like that really bring the community together and really work hard to give us a lot of hope for the future and hope for people like the veterans who are having certain issues at certain times. So it's great that we have a tool like Doc in our community. the youth that were going around town cheering people up. It's a testament to the way they were raised, the community that we have to honor people like that. So I'm really proud of how this meeting has gone so far and all the positivity that we're bringing into this meeting. Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I'd like to say congratulations to all the interns. Good luck. I hope everything works out the way you want it to. Doc, as far as you go, about a year and a half ago, I spoke to the mayor. Maybe two years ago, I spoke to the mayor and said we need a veteran liaison. Our first one didn't work out that great. and when i went up to the mayor and i said to the mayor i have somebody that's really going to make it work i'm telling you you got to be 100 behind them and we brought doc on board and it was the best decision this council made i mean doc you are great you do everything for the veterans there was a time when you didn't feel good and you still kept on going and going you're like a little energized you just keep going and going whether you're sick whether you're not We were there. You were here for us. We were there for you when you needed us. Um, I love you. Thank you for everything. That's all I got, Mayor.

Can I just add one thing to what Councilwoman Sheridan said? For Doc, I remember a few times around the holidays where you ask people in the council to give you references on kids who just need cheering up. And I remember there was a few kids, one of them being disabled, who you showed up and dressed as Batman and brought a Batmobile and just gave them toys. And just those little things that happen in a kid's life could really change the trajectory of where they're headed. So I really appreciate what you do for not only our veterans but our youth as well.

I would like to congratulate the participants of the intern program. They took time out of their summer to come and learn about the way the burr operates and learn some of the things that go on behind the scenes. So we're super proud of them for that. To the young people who wrote the letters, they show us how very important a small act of kindness can be. So we're very proud to have those kids in our community. And thank you, Doc and Councilman Oswald, for recognizing them. And also thank you, Doc, for the recognition today. I was very touched. Thank you for all that you do for our veterans. Thank you.

Yes, I'm going to start off with Doc first. It's amazing to me that you're giving us awards, and you're the true hero in the room tonight for all that you do for our veterans. Like Terry said, you never stop. You never, never stop. And we want you to know that we're always here for you. You just have to call us, and you have at certain times, and we want you to continue that because we don't want any veteran to go without. We wouldn't have our freedom without our veterans. So please always call us. We're always there for all of them. And as a military family, my son is serving his 12th year. It touches my heart, maybe on a personal level, even a little more. So it's near and dear to me. And I want you to know we'll always be here for you, whatever you need and whatever our veterans need. But we want to thank you tonight for all you do, Doc. So thank you. To the children that wrote kind letters to the neighbors, that to me is another situation of being a hero To put a smile on someone's face is precious. There's nothing more you can be in this world. The best thing you can be is kind and show kindness. And they're learning that at an early age, and they're changing lives by a simple smile, a simple letter, whatever it may be, a simple handshake. But they're learning this at an early age, and I know they will continue to be great people as they grow. So that was wonderful, you acknowledging them tonight. I thank you for that. And then our interns. We have wonderful, wonderful employees here in our borough. And I know every year when the interns come in, they interact so well with our employees. And I'm so happy for them that they get a chance to see what their municipality does and how it works on a day-to-day basis. So I wish them great luck in whatever they choose to do. But this is a great program, and it's a great experience for our youth. And so another great applause for everybody here because all these things tonight just show what we can do when we work together and it makes for a better community. So I just want to thank everybody and I'm feeling very grateful and blessed tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman. You see how much we appreciate everything that went on this evening from the children accepting the awards to the adults accepting awards. to having a fellow like Doc with us in town right now who's renowned throughout the state with the VFWs and have him working hand in hand with us and we are very, as he knows, very high on VFW to start off with. It's a very unique situation and people gravitate to each other that they know that other person is being true to themselves and to their heart. So we are blessed that way. We can say it a thousand times, right? And it probably will lose some of its value. But, Doc, I want to know, this coin you gave me, can I go to Dunkin' Donuts and get coffee with it? Yes, you can, sir. Okay. Beautiful thing, though. Thank you very much. All right, moving along, we'll turn the meeting over to Terry.

Thank you, Mayor. I move that we amend Resolution R-283-26 to the following. Resolution 283-26 approved firefighters' resignation in lieu of determination. Wherefore, Elmer Park Fire Company No. 1 for discipline charges against firefighter Melissa Moreno. and voted to remove her from the fire company number one at the Elmer Park Fire Department. And whereas the Elmer Park Fire Board met to hear Mrs. Marinette's appeal of her removal. Whereas after considering the evidence and testimony presented, the fire board decided that the charges were sustained and upheld Mrs. Marinara removal. Wherefore the fire board submitted this, wherefore the fire board, submitted this determination for the Mayor and Council's approval pursuing to Borough Code 2-28-6, whereas Mrs. Marinara submitted written correspondence to the Borough on August 20th today, 2026, requesting that the Mayor and Council accept her resignation of her removal. Now, therefore, to be resolved by the Mayor and Council, the borough of elmwood park that mrs morano resignation from the elmwood park fire board is accepted of the removal action and be forward resolved that the borough records be updated to reflect the resignation can i have a second we're looking for a second yeah i'll second that any discussion

Okay. Resolution R-2, 83-26, amended by Councilwoman Sheridan, second by Councilman Sampson. On roll call, we have Councilmember Spasolo.

I recuse.

Oswald?

Yes.

Sampson? Yes. Sheridan? Yes. Troisi?

I recuse.

Council President Pellegrin? Yes. Motion carries. At this time, we are moving on to our ordinances. We have Ordinance Resolution R-257-26, Introduce Ordinance Number 26-20, first reading. They resolved that an ordinance entitled bond ordinance to appropriate an additional sum of $135,000 for the construction of a replacement salt shed at the Department of Public Works facility in Byam for the borough of Elmwood Park. in the county of Bergen, New Jersey to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such additional appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds be passed and adopted on first reading and be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 at 7 o'clock p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard at which time any person's interested in said ordinance can be heard. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE BOROUGH CLERK BE AND SHE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ADVERTISE A NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION AND FINAL HEARING AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

I HAVE A MOTION ON THE ORDINANCE. I NEED A SECOND. SECOND. DISCUSSION. MR. FALIGNO, WOULD YOU BREAK THIS DOWN FOR US, PLEASE?

YES, MAYOR. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE INITIAL BOND THAT WAS PASSED FOR THE SALT SHED THAT IS NECESSARY AT THE DPW. This is a three-year-old project and the price, the bid came in substantially higher because it was three years old. So the prices have gone up. So this is to complete that project.

And just for the record, I've personally inspected this building and is in disrepair and needs to come down and a new one needs to go up. Any further discussion?

Yes, yes, I just want to clarify for the record though this is an additional $135,000 on top of the nearly 600,000 we approved so now we're talking about a salt shed that's going to cost us $735,000 and that this specific $135,000 was approved back in 2023 and In line with the corrective action report provided by the auditor and the CFO, there are approximately five years' worth of unencumbered or unfunded projects that have been approved over the past five years. Obviously, this is one of them. Is there any inclination as to how many more of these pop-up expenditures we're going to see that were passed in the past and are now going to be attached to the current budget, even though we just passed it and raised taxes on people? I would like to know how many more of these we're going to see. So could you just clarify the question? Yes. So according to the corrective action report issued by the CFO in the last audit for 2025, there was a part of the report issued said that there's been approximately a five-year period, so back to almost 2020, 2021, where this council in its various iterations has approved expenditures that never ended up being either fulfilled or spent or bonded, which is a problem that had occurred several times in the past. It disappeared in 2023 and is now resurfaced. So I am trying to get on the record a clarification or at least a promise of a clarification that these kinds of expenditures, this is a three-year-old expenditure, this $135,000, How many more of these do we expect to see, considering we have five years' worth, according to the CFO?

That's a very good question. I'd have to be some type of mind reader in order to answer that. I think we just have to wait and see, and hopefully there aren't any.

But there are. The CFO pointed them out. There's five years' worth, Mr. Mayor.

Okay. Then your question should be directed directly to the CFO. Moving along. I guess we're going to have a call.

Call the roll. First by Council President Pellegrin, second by Councilman Sampson. On roll call, we have Councilman Brice Fusillo.

No.

Oswald.

No.

Sampson. Yes. Sheridan.

Yes.

Troisi. Since this is a safety issue, my vote is yes. Council President Pellegrin. Yes. Motion carries.

Just want to emphasize to the audience that There is a safety issue here, and that becomes beyond our control. We're aware of a safety issue now. It's our job to move on that safety issue. Moving along.

Next, we have ordinances on second reading, resolution R-258-26. introduce ordinance number 26-19 on second reading, whereas the public notice has been given by the Borough Clerk that an ordinance entitled Bonds Ordinance to Authorize the Undertaking of Structural Improvements to the Recreation Center in Buying for the Borough of Ellen Park in the County of Bergen, New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $265,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting. And whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given the opportunity to be heard concerning the same, Now, therefore, it be resolved by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Elmwood Park that an ordinance entitled Bond Ordinance to Authorize the Undertaking of Structural Improvements to the Recreation Center and Buying for the Borough of Elmwood Park in the County of Bergen, New Jersey, to appropriate the sum of $265,000 to pay the cost thereof, to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation, and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds passed on final reading.

Just for the edification of the ordinance outside, the situation here with this building in the corner is collapsing. We've repaired it once before, but it seems to be an ongoing, some type of situation, subterranean problem. But this time we're going to go extensive repair to it with an underpinning. And that should cure the problem, hopefully. That's what the engineers had told us. May I have a motion to open to the public on this issue?

So moved. Second.

Anybody for the public care talk on this issue and this issue alone, this ordinance, rather? If not, I will close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance?

So moved. Second. Call the roll, please. First by Council President Pellegrin, second by Councilman Fasolo. On roll call we have Council Members Fasolo.

I just want to clarify this issue right here, as the Mayor just said, is the actual safety issue, not the salt shed. So yes.

Oswald?

Yes.

Sampson? Yes. Sheridan? Yes. Troisi?

I'm going to clarify they are both a safety issue. My vote is yes.

Council President Pellegrin. Yes. And I'd like to say I they are both safety issues. So yes. Motion carries.

Okay. Moving on to the consent agenda. We have the following resolutions. Resolution R-259-26, approval of payroll. R-260-26, approval of bills list. R-261-26, capital budget amendment. R-262-26, resolution to refund shop rate. OK, thank you. R-263-26, resolution to refund taxes at veteran. R-264-26, resolution to refund overpayment. R-265-26, Resolution to Issue Duplicate Tax Sales Certificate. R-266-26, Resolution to Issue Duplicate Tax Sales Certificate. R-267-26, Resolution to Issue Duplicate Tax Sales Certificate. R-268-26, Award of Bid, Borough Salt Shed. R-269-26, Award Proposal for Professional Services, Alignment Group for the Recreation Center Structural Improvements. R-270-26, Award Proposal for Professional Services, Alignment Group for the FY2026 NJDOT Program, Muller Boulevard, Hillman Drive to Route 46. R-271-26, Award Proposal for Professional Services, Alignment Group for the FY2025 NJDOT Program, Muller Boulevard, Linden Avenue to Hillman Drive. R-272-26, authorized purchase of equipment. R-273-26, approved Elmwood Park Fire Department stipend program, second quarter compensation. R-274-26, authorized release of road opening performance bond. R-275-26, authorized retirement payout, Department of Public Works. R-276-26, appoint full-time laborers, Department of Public Works. R-277-26, Appoint Part-Time Laborer, Department of Public Works. R-278-26, Appointment of Counselors for the 2026-2027 School Year Morning Care and After School Program, Recreation Department. R-279-26, resolution to enter into a interlocal service agreement for special three law enforcement officers with the Board of Education of Elmwood Park and the Borough of Elmwood Park. R-280-26, resolution to enter into a shared service agreement with the Township of Little Falls. R-281-26, appoint crossing guards for the 2026-2027 school year police department. R-282-26, award quote for paving at Veterans Park. R-283-26, approve firefighter resignation in lieu of termination. R-284-26, approval to submit and execute a grant application. R-285-26, approve handicap parking space, Elm Street. R-286-26, approve handicap parking space, Phillip Avenue. R-287-26, Resolution approving redevelopment agreement between the borough of Elmwood Park and Meridia Elmwood Park 871 Urban Renewal LLC and designated Meridia Elmwood Park 871 Urban Renewal LLC as redeveloper for the property known as 871 River Drive in 7, 9, and 15 Norris Street, Block 1602, Lots 2, 3, 4, and 26. R-288-26, approve annual municipal audit report for the year 2025. R-289-26, adopt corrective action plan for the 2025 municipal audit. R-290-26, appointment of special officers. R-291-26, authorized online auction of surplus property. And R-292-26, resolution to approve the consent agenda.

Take a deep breath, Shanae. That was a long one. I have a motion on the consent agenda.

So moved.

I need a second. Second. Any discussion? Call the roll, please.

I have first by Council President Pellegrin, second by Councilwoman Troisi. On roll call, we have Councilmember Spasolo.

I'm going to recuse on 272-26, 273-26, and 283-26, yes to the rest.

Oswald?

It's going to be a no on R-268-26 and yes to everything else.

Sampson? Yes. Sheridan?

Yes. Troisi? I'm going to recuse from R-273-26 and R-283-26, yes to the rest. Sinead, can I also clarify my vote on 268 would be no?

268-26. Okay. Okay.

we see council president pellegrin yes motion carries moving on to departmental reports we have the zoning board meeting minutes from june 24th 2026. motion please no motion need a second okay any discussion all in favor aye Okay, departmental reports have been accepted. At this time, Mayor, this concludes my portion of the meeting. I will turn it over to you for council reports.

Okay, thank you. Let's start off with Councilman Fusolo.

Thank you, Mayor. I think we said a lot tonight about the positivity of everything that went on in the meeting in the beginning. So I want to stay positive with that. I just want to clarify what me and Councilman Oswald have been saying about the salt shed issue. The salt shed issue, we had money budget allocated for this project already. When we decided to do this after three years, the price came in about $135,000 more. There was a civil discussion. I got to give credit where credit's due. It was a civil discussion on whether we should re-bid it and maybe have it come back more expensive, maybe have it coming back cheaper, but that's where the issue was. We all agreed that the salt shed should be done, but the price tag was just way too high in this time for me, and hopefully I can speak for Councilman Oswald, for us to accept. We wanted to re-bid it. That was the only issue, the division between the two of us.

Just to clarify that a little bit.

I'm done with my report.

Okay. Just to clarify that, we've taken many a bids. That's what elongated this whole procedure along the way. And now it's time we have to get off the potty, so to speak, and get this project done. Any more discussion on that matter?

I'd like to make a comment. I would have been open to a rebid, but for the possibility of it coming back even higher if we were to refuse this. So we risked, you know, paying even more for the repair.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Mayor? What I would like to say is that obviously there's been a couple references to safety. The safety matter is multi-fold or several-fold. There's the overall safety of the condition of the building and our employees that travel in our vehicles in and out of that salt shed loading it during the winter. There's the safety factor of being able to deliver salt in a timely manner during a winter weather event. And it's also the matter of what happens if that salt shed, current salt shed becomes unable to be used completely and our inventory the value of our inventory gets destroyed or decimated and what what do we do with additional salt and where do we get additional salt from so the safety matter is not just general safety those are the safety items that's why i voted yes i understand it's expensive but it's something that we have to have in this borough thank you mayor thank you thank you you know councilman i understand your concerns uh maybe you should take a trip down there and take a walk through i actually did mayor and what'd you see

I think it could wait.

You think it could wait? Yeah.

I think it could wait, Mayor. We have a budget crunch. We're telling us not to spend money. Listen, we're not going to beat this to death. It passed. You spent $135,000 more than what we had budget. But listen, I'm not complaining about it. I'm just telling you that was our disagreement was whether to rebid it. or to do it i wanted to rebit it that's where it was i'm not complaining that you guys did it i'm just saying that that was my opinion was to rebit it but i understand the reason why you guys passed it that's fine moving along uh councilman uh sampson your council report just as a reminder where we're at thank you mayor

Mr. Fasola said I spoke excuse me at length about the strength of this borough and the people that we awarded this evening and that just proves what this borough is made of and like I said government of the people by the people and for the people as far as my activities are concerned our EMS program is strong and continues to forge ahead we do probably approximately 175 aided calls that's what I refer to as aideds whether it's our ambulance coming in or our police hand helping our residents or mutually coming from the county, we can get an ambulance to your house in less than five minutes typically. That's stunning. Those numbers are stunning. A new ambulance is being built. I look forward to that finally coming in. There is a long lead time for it. I'm with the chief and our sales rep from PL Custom Body, and we're going to get this done and get it here as soon as we can. I met with the finance committee led by Councilwoman Troisi. We paid the bills, the borough's bills. That went well, and that's about it. Summer's winding down. Let's enjoy it. Oh, the summer concert series, complete success. McCartney, one of my favorite singers, he was tributed this past Tuesday. Loved it. Loved his work, his songs, and that band did a great job replicating them. So, Mayor, thank you for that concert series. You and Jimmy D'Amico are doing a great job working together to get that done, and we as a team are also delivering a great product to our borough residents. Again, enjoy the summer. Be safe. God bless America.

That credit goes to the mayor and council as far as the concert service goes.

That's how I refer to the team. Thank you.

Moving along, Councilwoman Sheverton.

Thank you, Mayor. I have my fire report for the month of July. We had 58 emergency incidents, 430 firefighter respond man hours, 12 training drills, one department meeting, Three special assignments, 710 volunteer service hours. Mind you, the word volunteer. 16 fire smoke alarms, six citizen assists, five standby assignments, four gas leaks, two odor investigations, three motor vehicle collisions, and three carbon monoxide alarms. We also had 12 training drills with 216 firefighters for the man hours. Mind you, our fire department is all volunteer. So if we know anybody that wants to sign up, we're more than welcome to have them. Sunday, we had the pre-party at the American Legion with Doc. We had it over at the American Legion. We had pizza. We had desserts. We had giveaways. We had 70... veteran families that went to Hawthorne, docked in the New Jersey Veterans Network. Thank you so much for everything you guys do. They took 70 veteran families to the movies to see the new Spider-Man. They had their soda. They got popcorn. I mean, we gave them a lot. We gave a lot out. And I just want to tell Doc, thank you for everything. Thank you to the New Jersey Veterans Network. I mean, if it wasn't for you guys, our veterans would be really lost. So I just want to give a big shout out to you guys, your Veterans Network. Thank you. Everybody had a great time. The concert is... Councilman Samson said Tuesday night was pure McCartney. Next week's our last concert. Everybody come on out. It's 60s. After next week, I'm going to be bored on Tuesday night, so I'm not going to have anything to do, but I'm sure I'll figure something out. I also want to give a thank you. Chief, I want to thank you for the crossing guard that you put out in front of the rec center. There is no crossing zone there, okay? But when that concert's over between everybody coming out of the parking lot, people trying to get across the street, that was a good move on your part. Thank you very much. Thank you to the police department, and that's all I have, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilwoman. We're going to shift back over to this side, to Councilman Oswald.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I knew you wouldn't forget about me. It's okay. I'm going to do a couple of things, just some things I've been working on the past couple of weeks since our last work session. I just wanted to bring up. The first is that every time I look through the packets that we're given, I like to go through some of the line items in the budget and see where we're spending money, even if it's just small amounts. One of the things I'd like to see going forward with this council, no matter who is there next year, is that we potentially either create ordinances, resolutions, or direct departments to do more local spending to send money back to our local businesses rather than going to other towns to go bowling or to go to parties and stuff. where it's reasonable. I'm not saying it's a hard mandate, but I see a lot of purchases at Amazon, a lot of purchases at places out of town where we have businesses in Omaha Park that provide those services. And I just think that we could every once in a while consider that as a reason to go somewhere rather than just where we feel like. Every time we go through these agendas, we often approve a lot of these handicapped spaces. One of the things I do when I go shopping is I know a lot of people with disabilities, and I know how hard it is to walk through a parking lot with a lot of cars driving around. And on a rainy day like today, when I went to ShopRite, I noticed often, and I'm thankful to our police department for being so responsive, but how often people park in handicapped spots that have no right to be parking in them, that park in fire zones and loading zones, and that make people very uncomfortable walking around and parking. I just want a public service announcement. Those handicapped spaces are for people with handicapped plates and placards. I call every week. I call in and ask them to do a patrol around the parking lots, and thankfully they do. Sometimes they issue a ticket. Sometimes people leave. But just be mindful that it's a pretty low thing to do to take a handicapped space, especially on a rainy day. We have a lot of things that came from our audit that I found were interesting. budget-wise. One, just as an anecdotal fact, the population of Elmwood Park over the past five years since 2020 has increased by 154 people. In the previous 10 years, it had increased by over 2,000 people, but we sit at around 22,000 people. In the past three years, the municipal budget has gone up by $9 million. $9 million. We're talking about salary and wage increases of 29% over the past five years operating budgets increased by 62% and not that there is a direct link that we just because we haven't had a big population increase that these expenditures aren't warranted but one of the things I am intent on following up with is the September 1st deadline for making sure that some of the corrective actions that were issued actually get taken place such as moving us over to the correct accounting system getting us off of Excel I would really love, and now that the CFO is here, I will send an actual email request, but I would like some further information regarding some of these unencumbered or unspent appropriations over the past five years that were found in the audit. I would like to know what the total amount outstanding is that we may be potentially expected to budget for this year or next. And I would like to know which departments have experienced the most increase in their actual budgetary process because according to the audit we've had a relatively flat increase in um certain things like the the the budget 18 tax increase but the actual budget itself was only a four percent change why the water fund lost 34 we're talking 1.6 million dollars down and i suppose we're tapping into some surpluses but um there's a lot of people that are in the audience today they're going to be asking about their taxes asking about where their money is spent and I would encourage everyone to do their due diligence, read the audit, read the report, and then look up that information, decide what you feel is appropriate as a response. I know that a lot of people want to complain or to suggest that they were treated unfairly by our tax assessor. I wholly disagree with that idea. I believe we have an incredibly fair and experienced tax assessor and team. No one's trying to hurt anybody. I believe one of the things I'd like to clarify, though, is that people that do have an issue, you have every right to say something about it, but I'd like us to remain respectful and to please make sure you actually follow processes like setting up a meeting, asking someone the question ahead of time rather than making claims that might not be substantiated by empirical facts, even though they might feel good emotionally to say. So I will be keeping up on top of the corrective action, and I really hope to see that some of those reports don't show up in the 2026. And I really think that this, the amount of money that we have been increasing the budget over the past five years is unsustainable. The per capita, we're talking the past five years, $600 per person increase in taxes with not as noticeable increases in services. So that being said, I do appreciate everybody taking their time to come out. Thank you for listening to us and all the things we did. Thank you to all the people who did the volunteer work. Thank you to Doc for your commendations today. They were unexpected but very warmly welcomed and for everybody that participates in this process thank you for coming out. That'll be all Mr. Mayor.

There's some incredible questions there and I compliment you on it but keep in mind that that nine million dollars you're talking about it's unsustainable basically that was out of our control and I've received some information today that out of the 70 communities in Bergen County 60 of them have registered their tax situation. And Elmwood Park is the fifth lowest out of 60 communities, the fifth lowest. So what that's telling me is that if you separate the costs that were out of our control based on the budget that we're dealing with and during the course of the year, our spending, we were flat, if not maybe just a slight increase,

and that is a tribute to this mayor and council moving along council woman tracy thank you mayor um yes we had tax increases three years in a row and the majority of those increases increases can be directly attributed to the employee health care. We have seen year-over-year double-digit increases, with this year I think being the highest we've seen yet, about 35%. It is absolutely unsustainable. And that is why I have been lobbying for the borough to look at alternative health care plans for our employees. And we are doing that. So hopefully we will see some relief in those double digit increases year after year. I'm just going to proceed with my council report. uh rec update just a reminder that the school year program registration closes on monday august the 24th and or until it reaches capacity whichever happens first the spray park will close for the season on the 30th first day of school is september 2nd We wish all the students returning for the 2026-2027 school year a year filled with learning and friendships. The Elmwood Park Police Department Backpack and School Supply Giveaway will be held Sunday, August 23rd from 1230 to 330 on Mola Boulevard between 16th Ave And Elmwood Terrace, there'll be bounce houses, music, Steve's Burgers. And I'd like to also congratulate all of the participants in the Junior Police Academy who graduated yesterday. I'd like to thank Chief Filigno and his staff for hosting such a wonderful program that's been growing every year. And then on August the 9th, myself and 24 other residents teamed up with a company called Eco Clean Guardians. They're an environmental nonprofit group. And in 103 degree weather, we removed 1,420 pounds of trash from our streets. in 6.3 miles of roadway. It was difficult, but it was rewarding work. And I just like to thank the residents who gave up their Sunday to do that in the heat to make Elmwood Park a better place to live. And then I just want to make an announcement that Elmwood Park Girls Softball will be hosting a carnival September 10th through the 13th, and it'll be at 41 Slater Drive. That's all I have. Thank you, Mayor.

Council President Pellegrini?

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. My Board of Health update. Save the date. They will be having their sixth annual Elmwood Park Celebrate Senior event. The date is October 10th. The time is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location, our recreation center, 500 Muller Boulevard in Elmwood Park. Their next regular meeting will be held on September 14th at 7 p.m. right here in Borough Hall. All are welcome to attend. Chamber of Commerce update. The new Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce and the Elmwood Park Police Department will be having their second annual Elmwood Park Charity Car Show. Sunday, September 27th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 147 One Legion Place in Elmwood Park. This year's event will benefit two local families affected by tragedy. Please come out and support this event. It will be a day of great cars, music, vendors, raffles, and awards, and charitable giving. The next regular meeting will be held on September 15th at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall in our all-purpose room. Any questions, you can call 551 500-7810. Residence Assistance Program Update. Come join us for our Stop Out Hunger event Sunday, September 13th, 1 p.m. Location starting point will be the corner of Lincoln Ave and Mola Boulevard and Elmwood Park. We'll be marching together to our pantry on Falmouth Ave. Please help us to stock our pantry shelves. Items we need are peanut butter, pasta, juice, tuna, cereal, rice, honey, coffee, tea, canned soups. We appreciate all your anticipated help. Let's fight hunger and work together to feed our residents in need. For any questions, please call 201-796-1457, extension 2015 or 2013. This is a great event where the whole community comes together. It's only a few blocks we march. People bring bags of food. Our police are on hand. to collect that, put it in the trailer. They marched with us. They're a big help. We closed the street down. So I encourage everyone, please come out and be a part of this. We don't want anyone ever in our community to be hungry. So I thank you in advance for that. A couple upcoming events that we have. The shredding event will be held September 26th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location behind the municipal building, 182 Market Street. Confidential and sensitive material only. No need to remove paper clips, staples, or paper board covers. For any questions, call 201-796-1457, extension 3000. And then the annual Townwide garage sale will be September 19th and 20th. No permit needed. Your address must be registered to be on the participation list. Call the recycling coordinator for all questions and register. 201-796-1457, extension 3000. And lastly, last evening we had the Junior Police Academy graduation. It was a really beautiful event. We want to congratulate all the participants. And really, we want to thank Chief Foligno and his team. It was their 16th graduating class. We've been to several. And to sit there and watch the youth interact with our police officers is such a wonderful thing. They get so much out of this program. And I'm just so proud of our police department. The kids years ago, as I'm older, they used to be afraid to approach police officers. Now when I go to events, these kids, they run up to them and they hug them and they're so happy to see them. And that just warms our heart because that's what we want. Community working together, community knowing our police officers by name. It's just a wonderful, wonderful thing. And I want to thank you, Chief Feligno, and your entire team for what you do for our youth and for our entire community. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman. I'm going to yield my time to these two gentlemen, by the way, that they entered a meeting later on. They're not CIA or FBI, just so you know. That's our tax auditor and our CFO. Kevin, would you like to take the meeting from this point?

Oh, I'm sorry. There we go. Can everyone hear me? Thank you. My name is Kevin Esposito. I am your assessor here in Elmwood Park for the last 16 years. Thank you, Mayor and Council and Administrator, for receiving me this evening. The Elmwood Park residents have been in a situation where we have been forced to undergo a revaluation that was ordered by the New Jersey State Division of Taxation. The last time Elmwood Park had a revaluation was tax year 2003, so it's been 23 years since our last revaluation. Elmwood Park went through the request for proposal process and we selected the appraisal systems which was the contract awarded bidder to do our revaluation. Appraisal systems has served the state of New Jersey for over three decades servicing many Bergen County towns as well as other communities throughout the state of New Jersey. When revaluations are ordered and when they occur traditionally The formula of a third residence or third property owners receiving an increase, a third property owners being neutral, and then a third mate going down. That is the traditional formula throughout the state. I supervise the revaluation. I was in the field on numerous occasions supervising the staff members of the revaluation, overseeing the inspection tactics and process that they utilize, the data collection process. As data was accumulated and put into what's known as the computer automated mass appraisal system, I supervised that process as well. I looked at the sales data that they collected throughout the two-year process of the sampling period utilized to establish the neighborhood values from within each of our value control sector, which is how neighborhoods are valued. And at the end of the day, I was in review of the letters that were distributed to each of our property owners. I reviewed the results of the meetings of those letters. I'm sorry, many of our property owners who met with the revaluation firm in council chambers here earlier this year in March, February and March. I supervised that results as well. And then our notice of assessment letters were sent to our residents along with our Chapter 75 postcards that were also distributed. And then we went through the appeal process. I'm happy to say that there were not many tax appeals filed this year in Elmwood Park Borough at the county level or the state level. And the results of those appeals were recently received. Since our tax bills were distributed recently, I also have been contacted by a good percentage of our municipality property owners that received increases. Obviously, in many cases, property owners that have made repairs over the last 15 to 20 years that maybe did not require or maybe did not obtain permits may have seen an increase greater than the average residential increase. And many of those property owners were very disappointed that their taxes may have increased beyond that of their neighbors. Typically, when such a long time goes by and passes between revaluations, specifically 23 years, we all have seen property values in Elmwood Park and throughout New Jersey, especially after COVID, increase at double digit annual increases. 23 years ago, you could have bought a Cape Cod in the borough of Elmwood Park for somewhere between $200,000 and $250,000. There's no such home in Elmwood Park today. No Cape Cod. You cannot purchase any Cape Cod anymore for $250,000. Entry level capes are selling well above $350,000 to $400,000, with the average cape selling almost $450,000. Our two family homes are very, very expensive. So when you look at your new assessment card or your new assessment, You have to be mindful that per the letter of the law, the revaluation firm is obligated to assess homes at market value. A lot of people say, well, Mr. Esposito, I don't understand. I'm at a hundred percent of market value. That is the way the division of taxation in our constitution requires revaluation firms to do their job. And when I supervised that, I looked at the sales that were utilized in each of the neighborhoods. And when you compare the average assessment in those neighborhoods to the sales utilized in those neighborhoods, the data is supported. All that data was published on the revaluation firm's website for our residents to view during the revaluation process. And it was publicly out there for everyone to look at. Hopefully many of our residents viewed that information. And they had meetings with the revaluation firm. So thereafter, There is the appeal process. So homeowners, if they didn't appeal this year and they believe that there was an inaccuracy to their assessment, they have an opportunity to appeal next year. That would be that. And they can also contact my office and report any discrepancies in their assessment card. And then we will take a look at that.

Thank you, Kevin. Appreciate that. before I call for a motion to open to the public I just like the public to know that because of the many people that are here tonight I don't know how many are going to speak on this tonight I'm going to limit it to three minutes and our attorney will keep a clock so that we keep some order in this situation if you have two topics you got six minutes but one three minutes to one each topic may I have a motion to open the floor to the public All in favor? Aye. Anyone from the public here to speak on any subject whatsoever, please come forth, give us your name and address, and the clock is ticking.

Name, Brian Knobloch, address 181 Lincoln Avenue.

Is the mic on?

Can you all hear me?

Okay.

Good evening, Mayor and members of the council. As you know who I am already, I'm an Elmwood Park resident, taxpayer, and someone who spent my... There are people sitting in this room who are looking at their tax bills, wondering how they're going to absorb thousands of dollars in additional costs into their own household budgets that were already stretched in. We keep hearing explanations pontificating and bickering from this council. We hear about reassessment. We hear about rising costs. We hear about who's responsible, who isn't. We hear about Democrats, we hear about blaming Republicans, and Republicans blaming Democrats.

Enough. The taxpayers don't need another explanation of the politics.

We need you to fix the problem. When my taxes go up and I don't get to print more money, I have to make choices. I have to cut something. I have to postpone something. I have to make a sacrifice. Why shouldn't we expect anything less? from our government. What exactly are residents receiving in return for these increases? More police officers? More police vehicles? Yet many residents are asking why we rarely see either in our neighborhoods. Have you driven on our streets lately? Pretty soon the streets themselves will be crumbling, and you won't be able to drive in cars or police cars on them. More giveaways? all which lead to degradation of personal responsibility, at some point, government has to distinguish between what would be nice to have and what taxpayers can actually afford. Cut the bloat. Re-evaluate your spending and stop making promises with other people's money that this community cannot sustain. And please, Stop the political bickering. Leadership is not standing in front of a camera when there's a ribbon to cut or a photograph to take. Leadership is what happens when choices are difficult, when there isn't enough money, and when saying no might make you unpopular. That's servant leadership. I know something about public servants. Sometimes it requires sacrifice. I've been doing public service for the last 25 years. Sometimes you inherit problems in public service that you didn't create.

You're at your three minutes, sir. Try to wrap it up.

You were elected to solve it. You can take my three minutes. Doesn't work that way. You were elected to solve it. Every taxpayer sitting in this room has to balance a budget. We make difficult decisions.

Sir, there's many people that want to speak. The time limit is three minutes. You're at your three minute limit. Thank you. It's not transferable.

I have had time yielded to me.

The borough code does not provide for time yielding.

Are you close to finishing? I am. OK, let him finish. Let him finish.

Thank you, ma'am.

Every taxpayer sitting in this room has to balance a budget every day. We make difficult decisions. about what we can afford, we expect the people we entrusted with our tax dollars to exercise that exact same discipline. Stop pointing fingers. Stop making promises that we can't afford. Stop wasting. Find the waste, cut the bloat, prioritize essential services, and bring our mess under control. And if the elected officials and appointed officials are unwilling or unable to make those decisions, then perhaps it's time to make room for people who will. Because leadership isn't about holding a title. It is about accepting responsibility. Thank you very much.

Thank you for your comments. Who else would like to speak? Please come forth. One of you ladies, you want to choose that out, odds and even, see who goes first? No? All right, Gladys, you're up. A little tough getting out of that chair, huh? Take the mic down to yourself. Here you go. Gladys, try and keep it to three minutes, please, if you can. I might stretch it to four, but...

I have a question about my taxes.

On the third that went up, and I came here, and I met with a, I guess, a surveyor, And he didn't really help me that much. He gave me a number to call because I didn't let them in the house to go to my house. So I was given an explanation from him that my taxes went up 1 third because the other people were paying too much. And now, so I feel like why am I being, making an example of how to pay the difference Thank you. And so that's what I want to know. How did I get picked as the third, the one third that had to pay the higher price? Oh, wait, and I will tell you, I decided not to have the assessor come in. I said, the woman who called, I left a message that I was going to get my own private assessor. She called me back and left a message, and this is exactly what she said. Do not do that. She said, come down here, and we will lower the price on our end. So that made me believe that they put everyone up to the ceiling. So that if anyone did come in and complain, they tried to make you feel a little bit better. And I have it. I have it. I took a snapshot and I kept it. Please do not do that. So I feel like it's shady a little bit.

Thank you. So I wasn't a party to that conversation or email, so I can't attest or answer that specifically. With regards to your question about a third go up, a third go down, and why are you paying? Basically, when revals are ordered, they are what are known as revenue neutral, meaning the borough of Elliman Park doesn't collect a dollar more after the reval is completed than they did before. The budget is the budget is the budget. The net valuation goes up. The tax rate goes down. So it's very possible that your home was assessed at a lower value all the years, and a lot of your neighbors who maybe made renovations or maybe built a new house was set at a very higher standard. okay so that newer home that might have been built 10 years ago or 15 years ago when your home was built maybe 50 or 60 years ago that newer home was at a higher standard 15 years ago and now it did appreciate over that 15-year period but it didn't necessarily double in value compared to your home if you look at your home I don't know your home individually I haven't had a conversation with you but let's say you have the average Cape Cod that's in town that was built in the forties. Now it's 60 years old or so, or 70 years old. Okay. Um, those homes have gone up considerably since our last reevaluation, as I stated previously. Okay. So because your home may have doubled in value and some of the other homes only went up by 30 percent 40 percent because they were built 10 years ago or maybe they were assessed 10 or 15 years ago because if a homeowner pulled a permit and did an addition on their property we do added assessment work every single year we pick up at least 100 or so properties typically on any given calendar year COVID was the exception because obviously we weren't going out into the field we couldn't we couldn't have people go out into the field during COVID but we did what we could to get them on the books they were picked up the next year Sometimes if people do work without a permit, we don't know about that. It's very difficult. We don't find out about that. And we find out about during reval. So in your case, to answer the question about your potential increase, your home may have gone up much more than the average residential assessment. As far as the comment on come and talk to us, I can't really give an answer. I wasn't a party to that conversation. I can only tell you that I did not observe any reductions that weren't marked at many of the residents who did make an appointment. They either allowed an inspector into their property or the reval firm also offered video inspections. Okay. Where they would have a homeowner walk through their home on their handheld phone or laptop PC. And they, they took notes of that inspection.

So, well my, um, My appraisal did go down $40,000, but I'm still paying $1,700 more in my taxes. But my thing is 23 years is too long because you're hitting these senior citizens that cannot pay it, and they have to pay that senior freeze up front. That's going to be hard for them. I thought it was every 10 years by law it had to be done.

Well, I'll be honest with you. There is no law that determines. There are a number of steps that require revaluation, and there's a number of tests that are required. When a municipality's ratio falls below 85%, that is one of the indicators. It's also based on the volume of appeals, the coefficient of deviation. So there are basically 13 steps that have to be met before a county or the state would order a revaluation. So that's why our ratio was holding very strong pre-COVID. And then COVID came and things started going up. Prices started gradually increasing. And then a few years after COVID, we've had double-digit increases in real estate values. And as I said previously, you can no longer get a Cape Cod in Elmwood Park anymore for $250,000 is out the window. I can assure you that we will never see another revaluation order that drags on for 23 years. You will probably see them more frequently every decade or so now. Most of Bergen County, a lot of municipalities do what are known as annual reassessments. That's also something we could explore if there is a correction in the market specifically. If I see valuation trending downward because of potentially an economic crash of the real estate market, I would encourage the mayor and council to consider a reassessment down the road in the future. But the annual reassessment program that a lot of municipalities enter into shifts that number and that burden on an annual basis so a lot of homeowners aren't necessarily in favor of that either because you see that mix taking place every single year so all right thank you and just for the mayor and council um i just read for 2027 health care for the teachers is going up 34 13 for the local government how do we ever get out of an 18 increase

Yeah, well, here's the thing. Where do we point the figure? To me, I like to know what my state legislators and assembly people are doing. Because I know if I had that position, I'd be in Trenton, that for my term, two-year term or four-year term as a senator, I would just focus on that one point and drive it home until it was fixed. That's where I think we have to push, because we're talking the health system, which is a state-run program, and they can't do anything about it.

I would just get my own private insurance at that point. My husband works for the hospital. There's thousands and thousands of employees. We have the crappiest insurance, too. we had good insurance then it went to the middle and then it went to the bottom so i mean i don't know what the answer is but i can't see this budget coming down ever with um it's it's beyond our control it really is i mean do a protest to the you know to trenton i mean something's got to give because you know this is this was always considered a blue-collar town And we have hard workers, and they don't make hundreds of thousands of dollars, which you really need that to live here today. Thank you for your time.

Gladys, there's no panacea that will just rectify the situation. I wish I had the answer for you.

You timed that well. Exactly three minutes.

Moving along, anybody else care to speak? Please have your name and... Your address?

Lenora Montracamo, 92 Echo Place, Elmwood Park. First, and this isn't part of the three minutes, I'd like to congratulate all the hard-earned young people that were part of any program that participated in Elmwood Park with any department this year. I'd like to say I'd like to thank the chief and his department for everything that they did. And I'd like to apologize that my computer didn't save any of the changes that I made to this. So I'm going to try my best to figure it out. Everybody's talking about the tax assessment. Okay. Back when we had the assessment, Mr. Esposito, basically forced himself that he had to come into my house, which finally I had to agree and I had to let him in my house to do the assessment. Okay, fine. Now, the Elmwood Park specifically says that in 2006, revaluation was intended to create a uniformed and equitable assessment base, and the re-evaluation is revenue neutral. Neutral? I don't think so. Now, I looked up some lots and blocks. Don't take this personal. I just grabbed a bunch of different addresses that were given to me. Block 1803, lot 6. The land assessment. I'm not talking about the building, Mr. President. I'm talking about the land. 50 by 100, and I brought this up at the work meeting, 50 by 100 is 50 by 100. Dirt is dirt, no matter how you look at it. I'm being charged on my property $62 per square foot. Falmouth Avenue, 50 by 100. They're being charged $42.42 for a 50 by 100 lot. Here's a 75 by 100 lot being charged $44.66. They're being charged less money than I'm being charged on my lot. Dirt is dirt, no matter how you look at it. Square footage is square footage, no matter how you look at it. My land is being approximately 46% more square footage than Falmouth Avenue or the other places. Why is the land component of my property $62 per square foot while the others are less? Also, on the other properties, my is a corner lot. One of the other ones is a corner lot. So there's no justification for the difference in the property being a corner lot. The other one, the larger property, is an internal lot.

Do you want me to answer those questions?

No, I'm going through this whole thing before my three minutes is up because I can't figure it out. Appraisal systems, I couldn't find the time. I worked for an attorney. There was no time, no way, no time. I just kept getting stickies on the door. They didn't even have those little stickies in there properly labeled. It had bathroom, it had living room, didn't even list bedrooms on it. Nothing to check off. Now, somebody that I know who, I don't know who their appraisal system was, but they had somebody come in their house, they told them that if you didn't let them in the house, they were going to charge you, assess you the highest amount they could as if you remodeled the entire house. That's what was told.

You're at the three minute mark.

Could you please sum up?

The land is not being- The land question, I think that's- The land question is not being charged properly to any of. I have given the entire council, some of the people that I've done. In fact, one of my neighbors, is being charged, his assessment went up. In fact, one of the properties went up $447,000. Their taxes only went up $156. How could that be? How could that be? While some people had their assessment go up $300,000 and their taxes went down on a single family house. I mean, come on. What happened here is not right. It's not neutral. It's not fair.

Miss Esposito, would you like to answer some of those questions for that lady? I'd be happy to.

This manager came off. I believe that many years ago, you are correct. You did file multiple appeals. and I was required to inspect your property. I never forced myself or upon you to inspect your property. In Bergen County, if a resident or property owner files a tax appeal, assessors are required to inspect the property to confirm the accuracy of the property record card. before any decision is made by the borough assessor to grant the reduction or by the county commissioners to grant the reduction. So I never was forceful in any way. It is a requirement. That requirement still exists. You can confirm that with the Bergen County Board of Taxation if you choose to do so. With respect to land assessments, property owners do not have the ability or authority to appeal just a portion of their assessment They can appeal their entire assessment because that's the way the computer automated mass appraisal system works. Revaluation firms value land in communities based upon the zoning approval, and then they use what's known as the front foot method and the depth factor method, okay? So that is how they come up with for valuation for each site in the community. And then each property has a site value attributed if there is a home erected on that site. Because if it's just a vacant lot and there are no improvements there, it doesn't become a site until utility is granted, meaning there is a water connection, there is a sewer connection. Then that vacant lot becomes a construction site. And then when the improvements are made, then it is a dwelling, and the total assessment is placed on a property. With respect to your question about how could a property go up by $300,000 and only have an increase of $100,000 or $200,000? $440,000. Okay. Well, if you look at the last assessment... Unless there was a typo in the county. I doubt it. It's possible. If you got the records off of the county website or you got them off of our website... They're probably accurate, okay? I can confirm that with you. But the reality is is it depends on how far away their prior assessment was from the average assessment. If the average assessment prior to the revaluation was in the $230,000 range and their assessment was double or triple that, and now their assessment is maybe only 20% higher than the average assessment, the delta would dictate the increase. So they did go up by a number, but they didn't go up as much as everyone else because they were at a much higher standard than everyone else pre-reval. So when you say how could some people go down, that is the reason. They were paying more than their fair share based upon the fact that they may have had a newer home or more renovated home than the average home from within the community. Well, as I stated, you cannot pick and choose how you want to do. Well, I understand your point and I respect your opinion, but I'm not a lawmaker. Those laws are made in Trenton and set by the constitution. Well, like any law that you challenge, you'd have to talk to your elected officials at a higher level than an Elmwood park. Okay. So

Okay, thank you. Thank you for answering those questions. Let us move along, please. Yes, ma'am.

Martha Hayes. Do you hear me? I don't know if you can hear me. Yeah, we can hear you. 259 Fencec, Elmer Park. I have a question because this is a substantial increase for me and I am, you know, just me paying this. So I was wondering, did it have to be applied all at once or could it have been incrementally applied over years? Oh, no, that's really the only question that I had.

Thank you.

Certainly. Unfortunately, we have to comply with the guidelines set by the Division of Taxation. And when revaluations or reassessment occur, there is no phase in period over two or three years. I wish there were because then it would make it that much more palatable, especially when so many years pass. I feel your pain. I understand it. I am also a victim of revaluation in my community as everyone in the state is. Okay. And again, unfortunately, and it's by no fault of mine or anyone up here, or any of our residents that 23 years have passed since our last revaluation. We are a victim of circumstances. Our ratio declined at a point a few years ago where the revaluation was ordered. We never denied, we never stalled the revaluation process. As soon as we got the order, the administrator, the CFO, and I brought it to the mayor and council, and they immediately embraced it and said, okay, we want to get ahead of this project. We went ahead, we put an RFP out, We got the process rolling, as you all know. Last year, boots were on the ground. We had people in the street looking at the properties. I supervised it. It was funded by the municipality. But unfortunately, there is no provision in the law that would allow a phase-in. So sadly, if there were that option, we would have explored that to make it easier for residents like you and everyone else.

Thank you.

Anyone else care to speak? Yes, sir. Your name and your address, please. Make sure the button on the, it's on?

Oh, no, it's not.

There you go.

Yeah. About the assessments again, I was told the same thing that if I don't let the guy in, they're going to charge us as much as they want, whatever, the highest rate. Why do you guys care what's inside of my house? Why?

I'll let you ask all the questions and when you're done.

No, that's my only question because, yeah, because it's so annoying that in a free country, I have to open my door to some guy so he can decide how much my house is worth inside. Why do you care what my kitchen looks like? That makes no sense to me.

Okay, I'll answer that. Those are very good questions, okay? At the end of the day, when revaluations occur, It is to make sure that all assessments are fair and uniform to everyone, okay? The reality of the situation is that if they don't get inside to see amenities like a kitchen or a bathroom, we all know how expensive those things are to renovate and maintain and improve in a home. And obviously, if you have a newer kitchen or a newer bathroom and you go to sell your home, you're going to ask a lot more because you may have spent $50,000 or more on a new kitchen and $25,000 or more on a new bathroom. So at the end of the day, that's the reason why. And by the way, the New Jersey State Assessor's Handbook and the appraisal manual require interior inspections. Now if a homeowner didn't want to let an inspector in their property, and we have many people that have compromised immune systems or are concerned about the safety of their family and such, so they offered a video inspection to accommodate that. And in addition, with respect to your question about the statement made, why did they say my home would be set at the highest standard possible? Because the Division of Taxation basically says, if interior access is not permitted, assume that the attic and basement are finished and assume that the interior is in overall good condition. And then if the homeowner says, hey, I don't have a finished basement or a finished attic, and I don't have an updated kitchen or an updated bathroom, They can either, prior to the reval being completed, have an informal meeting with the revaluation firm, which we had those conducted here. And by the way, for residents that worked, they did evening appointments and they did Saturday appointments through the revaluation process, okay? Because we understand it's a blue collar community and I wanted to make sure that our residents were afforded the best options possible. I'm a firm believer in the golden rule. I treat people the way I want to be treated in life. That's important. So I wanted to make sure after 16 years of serving our residents and knowing that the hardships that many would face, especially in the economic conditions that exist at this time, I wanted to make sure that everyone had every opportunity possible. Okay. So with that said, It is required if you didn't comply to let them in to assume that those items are renovated. And it's for the fairness of everyone else who did allow an access and inspection. Okay?

Yeah, but I mean, I live there so I know. I just, I hate someone comes into my house. I just, I don't get it. Look outside, do whatever you want. You got all the permits. You know what's inside the house. It just makes no sense.

In my many years of serving the public, I will say that I have addressed many residents who moved here from other countries, okay, specifically communist countries, and they have a fear of government, and I respect and understand that. But in the United States, we are much different than communism. And at the end of the day, these rules are in place here not to hurt or to weaponize, to hurt individual people, but to make sure that fairness is met and uniformity is met. But remember, it's based upon market conditions. And you can look at the value of your home today and compare it to your assessment, and I think

I understand, but there are guidelines and regulations and we have to comply.

Anyone else care to speak from the audience?

Hello, everyone.

Welcome.

Your name and your... Robert Rodriguez, 14th Florence, Elmer Park. Hello, Kevin. How are you, sir? First thing is the marina.

There you go. Now we can hear you.

If they can move that porta potty because going in is no problem, but when you come out it obstructs my vision. It's hard to get out without it, but when you go to look to the left, it's right there. If they can move it out of the way. That's the one thing. The second thing is about the taxes. I talked to Kevin a week and a half ago, and he's a nice guy. He mentioned look at my square footage and compare it to other houses that are sold that are less, you know, to try to appeal this thing. My question to you, Kevin, is What if I look at houses that have more square footage and the houses are worth more? Could I use that to appeal? Yes. You understand my question, right?

I completely understand your question. When you provide comparable sales to your specific house, You want to select the most similar, okay? Look at it, let's say you were going to refinance your home. The bank would hire a licensor certified appraiser to look at your property. There are guidelines that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the larger lenders backed by the government, they have requirements. And when you do an appraisal, you want to compare apples to apples. So if you have a 1,200 square foot home, you don't want to compare it to a 3,000 square foot home. You want to compare it to a home in size of maybe 13, 14, maybe 1,500 square feet because a four-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot home has much different market appeal than a 1,200-square-foot home. So, or if you had a two-bedroom condo, you wouldn't want to use that as a comparable either. You would probably be doing yourself a disservice, okay? So when you look for your comparable sales, you want to look for something that's similar.

All right, so if I have 2,200 square feet of living space and I have a house with 2,900 or 3,000, I can't use that?

Well, you can submit anything that you want, okay? Whether it's going to be comparable or not is the question. Can I see you Wednesday and talk about this? I'm always available. All right. Okay. If you call, you can come to see me on an individual basis.

I'd be more than happy to discuss this. All right. I'm going to leave it at that.

You happy?

I'm not happy, but I want to talk to Kevin, and I'll discuss it further with you. All right?

Thank you. Anyone else care to speak on any subject whatsoever?

I just have a comment that Mr. Esposito just made.

I'm going to allow you to second term, and that'll be it. Go ahead, Lenore. You just... Come to the mic. You've got to speak to us.

You just told this gentleman basically not to take a condo into consideration. But when I spoke to your appraisal person, whatever the company is, He said, I asked him about the condos because they're across the street from me, devaluating my parapet. He said, we treat condos as a single family home. So if that person is telling me that they treat condos as a single family home, why are you telling him he can't use a condo? Please.

Are you completed?

I'm done.

Okay. Was this a field inspector?

It was. An inspector from the appraisal company that this... A field inspector who came to your home? No, I called him. I spoke to him on the phone.

Oh, because you said when he was at your home, he referenced the condo across the street.

Did I say that?

I thought you did. I'm mistaken? Okay. So it was a conversation that you had with someone from appraisal systems?

Correct.

Okay. I don't know, I'm not a party to that conversation, okay? But I can tell you that if you had a conversation with me, your assessor, okay, I would tell you that condos are much different than a single-family residential home.

Well, then you better talk to the appraisal company. I'm just telling you, that's the conversation he had with me.

I wasn't a party to that conversation, so I...

There's something wrong with that company.

I wasn't a party to that conversation.

And at the end of the day, the reality is that anyone else, anyone else care to speak on any subject whatsoever? If not, I will close the public portion. But before you go, I just want you to know one thing that the mayor's taxes went up $2,000. Can I I need a motion to go into executive? No.

We do not have executive.

We don't have executive. I need a motion to adjourn.

Yes. Motion.

All in favor?

Aye.

Thank you.